Agarwal and Brown Appointed Chaired Professorships

Dean Avijit Ghosh took great pride in announcing the appointment of two College of Business professors to endowed chairs effective August 16, 2007.

Professor Rajshree Agarwal will be appointed as the John Georges Professor of Technology Management and Strategy in the Department of Business Administration.

Professor Agarwal’s scholarship in the area of entrepreneurship and evolutionary life cycle of industries is universally recognized as having made significant contributions to the field. She has also provided valuable leadership to the Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership and to the College of Business’ involvement in the BIOBEL theme of the Institute of Genomic Biology. Agarwal will also be serving as the Scholar in Residence at the Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership and directing the Innovation and Technology Management Initiative being launched by the College.

The Georges Professorship was established in the College in 2006 through a gift from International Paper Company in honor of John Georges, who served as the CEO of that organization.

Professor Jeffrey Brown will be appointed as the Karnes Professor of Finance. Professor Brown's contributions to his discipline, his department and the College are well known. He is one of the foremost authorities on the economics and finance underpinnings of public and private pension plans and insurance programs, especially the Social Security and Medicare programs. In 2006 President Bush appointed Brown and the Senate confirmed him as one of the seven members, and the only academic member, of the Social Security Advisory Board. Jeff has been a member of the finance department and College executive committees and has provided important leadership. He will also be serving as the director for the newly established Center for Business and Public Policy.

The Karnes Professorship was established in 1983 in honor of William G. Karnes by his family. The chair was previously held by Professor Josef Lakonishok.